This course introduces students to the evolution of Chinese theatre from its inception to the present, examining developments in dramatic literature, theatrical performance, spectatorship and other areas of interest to the students, as well as the way in which the development of Chinese theatre engages historical experience and interacts with significant social, political, and cultural issues. In doing so, students will read from sources in theatre, literature, history, and art, as well as examining pertinent visual materials (slides, videos). Through the research, discussion, lectures and viewings in this course, it is expected that upon completion students will: 1) demonstrate an understanding of major developments in Chinese theatre in each historical period covered by the course, including the pre-Yuan period, the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and the twentieth and twenty-first centuries; 2) distinguish major performance characteristics of each form of Chinese theatre examined, including Yuan zaju, Ming chuanqi and kunqu (Kun opera), Qing and later jingju (Beijing opera), huaju (spoken drama), and several regional forms of xiqu (Chinese opera); 3) analyze Chinese dramatic texts in English translation with reference to stylistic qualities, theatrical conventions, historical context, and social and cultural circumstances and value systems; and 4) demonstrate the way in which theories and socio-cultural systems shaped Chinese theatre in each historical period and theatre form examined in the course. Undergraduates enroll in the 400-level section; 500-level section is for graduate students only. Prerequisite: junior level or above or permission of instructor
Course Attributes: EN H; AS HUM; AS LCD; AS SD I; FA HUM; AR HUM
